
Panic Attacks Support Group
A panic attack is a period of intense fear or discomfort, typically with an abrupt onset and usually lasting no more than thirty minutes. Symptoms include trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, dizziness, hyperventilation, and sensations of choking or smothering. Panic attacks can be very sudden, appear to be unprovoked, and are often...

deleted_user
This is quite long - I'm sorry.
A couple of years ago, my sister and I were on a major expressway that is always congested. It was at night, and she was driving in the middle lane. (I can feel a panic attack coming on even as I type this.) She was going about 65 mph, and the cars in the left lane were going much faster. It was quite congested and there was barely over one car-length between cars. As I happen to glance into the passengers side mirror, I saw a huge semi coming up on us in the right lane. (Halfway to a panic attack writing this. Sweating badly, stomach is cramped up, lightheaded and my fingers are freezing cold.) In the car I immediately got all of my signs of a panic attack. Not having had a full blown attack in a while it was horrible. I told her she needed to pull over, but she couldnt. She couldnt get around the semi, and she tried slowing down but it was car after car after car behind it. She couldnt get to the left either. She just kept saying relax, Ill get over when I can but I needed to get out of that car n-o-w. I had to do everything in my power to keep my hands down because I obviously had lost my mind momentarily - - the "mind" that WAS there was so disoriented that I wanted to grab the wheel and pull off, no matter what we would have hit. At 70 mph. On the expressway. That is NOT me. I have no idea what part of my brain would put lives in danger because I needed to get out of the car.
On any other given day my common sense is remarkable and most definitely one of my best qualities. It was the scariest day Ive had in a long time (since the last panic attack, really) But this is the first one that Ive had that lives were put in jeopardy. Literally minutes later (hours, what it seemed to me) she was back in the right lane and slowly my attack ended. She looked over to find me on the floor of the car, with my hands behind my back and under my legs. I couldnt let myself have my arms out. No chances to grab the wheel. I was shaking and drenched in sweat under my coat. I had this incredible need all out cry and release it all, but already felt so embarrassed that I tried to hold back. She was shocked that I was having panic attacks again. I told her that I didnt know where it came from and I couldnt believe that it happened out of the blue. When we got home just about 25 minutes later, I was exhausted. It was like I just ran a marathon. I went right to bed. And I never told anyone about the wheel.
We went on a couple of short trips recently (family lives 2 1/2 hours away), and my husband (who is very supportive) had to drive in the right lane the whole time. I still had panic attacks almost the whole way there but I was able to sit in back with my kids. I also took a small dose of Xanax which helped just a little, but I find after taking it my attacks seem more frequent... I'm afraid I'll never be able to drive on the highway again. No more visiting family? I can't imagine that. I will see my doctor about taking something like zoloft, but I don't know if it will be able to make a difference.
Again, sorry this was so long.
A couple of years ago, my sister and I were on a major expressway that is always congested. It was at night, and she was driving in the middle lane. (I can feel a panic attack coming on even as I type this.) She was going about 65 mph, and the cars in the left lane were going much faster. It was quite congested and there was barely over one car-length between cars. As I happen to glance into the passengers side mirror, I saw a huge semi coming up on us in the right lane. (Halfway to a panic attack writing this. Sweating badly, stomach is cramped up, lightheaded and my fingers are freezing cold.) In the car I immediately got all of my signs of a panic attack. Not having had a full blown attack in a while it was horrible. I told her she needed to pull over, but she couldnt. She couldnt get around the semi, and she tried slowing down but it was car after car after car behind it. She couldnt get to the left either. She just kept saying relax, Ill get over when I can but I needed to get out of that car n-o-w. I had to do everything in my power to keep my hands down because I obviously had lost my mind momentarily - - the "mind" that WAS there was so disoriented that I wanted to grab the wheel and pull off, no matter what we would have hit. At 70 mph. On the expressway. That is NOT me. I have no idea what part of my brain would put lives in danger because I needed to get out of the car.
On any other given day my common sense is remarkable and most definitely one of my best qualities. It was the scariest day Ive had in a long time (since the last panic attack, really) But this is the first one that Ive had that lives were put in jeopardy. Literally minutes later (hours, what it seemed to me) she was back in the right lane and slowly my attack ended. She looked over to find me on the floor of the car, with my hands behind my back and under my legs. I couldnt let myself have my arms out. No chances to grab the wheel. I was shaking and drenched in sweat under my coat. I had this incredible need all out cry and release it all, but already felt so embarrassed that I tried to hold back. She was shocked that I was having panic attacks again. I told her that I didnt know where it came from and I couldnt believe that it happened out of the blue. When we got home just about 25 minutes later, I was exhausted. It was like I just ran a marathon. I went right to bed. And I never told anyone about the wheel.
We went on a couple of short trips recently (family lives 2 1/2 hours away), and my husband (who is very supportive) had to drive in the right lane the whole time. I still had panic attacks almost the whole way there but I was able to sit in back with my kids. I also took a small dose of Xanax which helped just a little, but I find after taking it my attacks seem more frequent... I'm afraid I'll never be able to drive on the highway again. No more visiting family? I can't imagine that. I will see my doctor about taking something like zoloft, but I don't know if it will be able to make a difference.
Again, sorry this was so long.
Posts You May Be Interested In
-
theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
-
I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
jayme: I think you are right, my brain chose to fight. I have taken xanax for flying, and it worked well. But for some reason with me when I take it, I find that I have increased anxiety the next day through the next few weeks. I have talked to a few other people that have experienced this. I'm glad that is not an issue for you! :)
tamwfl05: I agree - blacking out is horrifying. I've been having PA's most of my life, and through yoga breathing exercises I've been able to settle myself if need be (otherwise I just avoid certain places/things) It's always in harmless situations... like my brain KNOWS that everything is fine and I just have to wait for my body to catch up with my mind and realize that everything is fine, too.
But when I'm in a car, and it's NOT harmless, I'm even worse - because I could cause danger.
Ahhh why can't I live in a nice country town with country highways... those are a piece of cake for me. But no, I have to live near a major city with congested traffic going 70 mph... And everyone is always in SUCH a darn hurry. Must people ride on other people's bumpers at that speed?? It's just insane.
Best wishes to you both. We CAN get through this, right? ;-)